US5773835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic spectroscopy
Assignee: Cardiofocus Inc
•
Filing: 1996-06-07
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2016-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Methods and devices for practicing fluorescence spectroscopy to detect abnormal or cancerous tissue employing an transparent fluoropolymer optical probe to irradiate a target region of biological material and measure the fluorescent response of the target tissue. Based on the spectral response of the target region, the presence (or absence) of abnormal tissue can be determined. Transparent fluoropolymers reduce background fluorescence, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio in spectral analysis, because fluoropolymers have low self-fluorescence and, therefore, do not respond to ultraviolet excitation radiation with significant fluorescence of their own that would otherwise mask or interfere with the fluorescent radiation collected from a target tissue region in response to UV excitation radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward L. Sinofsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B5/0071; A61B5/0075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for spectral analysis comprising excitation means for irradiating a target region of a biological material with excitation radiation; collection means for collecting fluorescent radiation from the target region that is emitted in response to said excitation radiation; and a casing surrounding at least a portion of the collection means, the casing comprising a fluoropolymer material that exhibits low auto fluorescence and is substantially transparent to fluorescent radiation emitted by the target region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for spectral analysis comprising excitation means for irradiating a target region of a biological material with excitation radiation; collection means for collecting fluorescent radiation from the target region that is emitted in response to said excitation radiation; and a casing surrounding at least a portion of the collection means, the casing comprising a fluoropolymer material that exhibits low auto fluorescence and is substantially transparent to fluorescent radiation emitted by the target region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluoropolymer casing is a disposable sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the casing surrounds at least part of both the excitation means and the collection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the excitation means comprises at least one optical fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the excitation means further includes a reflective end cap to reflect light from the optical fiber towards a target region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the excitation means further comprises a source of radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the source of radiation is a laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the source of radiation is a UV-filtered lamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the source of radiation is a source of radiation emitting radiation at a wavelength ranging from about 200 to about 600 nanometers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the excitation means further includes a diffuser element to diffuse radiation from the excitation means to the surrounding tissue region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the collection means further comprises at least one optical fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the collection means further comprises a plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises an outer sheath, surrounding said casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the apparatus further includes at least one passageway between said casing and said outer sheath for the delivery of fluids to the target region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the casing is coupled to the collection means such that at least part of the collection means is capable of rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the casing is coupled to the collection means such that at least part of the collection means is capable of translation.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of analyzing biological material comprising: irradiating a target region of a biological material with excitation radiation from at least one light-transmitting excitation fiber; collecting fluorescent radiation from the target region via at least one optical collection fiber encased in a fluoropolymer casing that exhibits low auto fluorescence and which is substantially transparent to fluorescent radiation emitted by the target region; and analyzing the collected radiation from the target region to characterize the biological material.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of analyzing biological material comprising: irradiating a target region of a biological material with excitation radiation from at least one light-transmitting excitation fiber; collecting fluorescent radiation from the target region via at least one optical collection fiber encased in a fluoropolymer casing that exhibits low auto fluorescence and which is substantially transparent to fluorescent radiation emitted by the target region; and analyzing the collected radiation from the target region to characterize the biological material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of irradiating the target region further comprises irradiating the target region with ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the method further comprises encasing both the excitation fiber and the collection fiber in a disposable fluoropolymer sheath.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |